Won't start - electrical problems??

[jimmy1182]

Went to start my car this morning. And you guessed it, it won't start, there are lights on the dashboard, but when you go to start it nothing happens.
It was working fine on Saturday, left it on Sunday and nothing today.
When you try to start it there is clicking coming from the fuse box, either one of the relays or fuses, and if you leave the ignition on, the clicking gets quicker.
Everything else seems to work, lights, etc, but no ignition, is it the starter motor or something in the fuse box?
Any ideas guys, i hate the idea of public transport 

Oh and it's a 1990 8v Gti

Cheers

[Leon R]

A few things you could try:
Measure your battery voltage,
Check for 12v to your starter motor
Smack your starter motor with a hammer (be careful not to short things out tho)

You could put your finger on the relay box cover and turn the ignition, which ever relay feels like its clicking then find out what system it controls. Relays click, fuses pop when they die.

[Ben Lessani]

Surely it just sounds like a flat battery, with the clicking being the starter/solenoid struggling to engage.

[cняis]

could be the little thin wire corroded/disconnected on top of the starter motor, tells the starter to engage when you turn the key. its has a female spade connector on the end. try inspecting that one before you beat the sh!t out of your starter motor with a hammer 

it could also be a poor connection on the battery to starter lead. clean up the connections with emery tape/sand paper

[Leon R]

 

Its a known trick! Smacking the starter can release the starter solenoid if it gets stuck especially if the car's been left for a bit!

[Eddie]

A simple way would be to get a jump start from another car, or charge the battery overnight.
Either way, if the car starts fine you can look at a flat battery or dodgy alternator and eliminate the starter motor and associated electrics.
If not you are back where you started, but at least you haven't wasted any money or time dismantling the car.

Hope this helps.

[jimmy1182]

I've got it started now, and seems ok. Just the wipers won't work except on the fastest setting, i've started another thread on this hoping someone knows why

[russ-vdub]

ohh battery problems leadin to electrical faults ... the joys.. and im an electrican